Some one pressed

Before them here, a watcher, to suggest

The subject for a ballad: "They must know

The tale of the dead worthy, long ago

Consul of Rome—that 's long ago for us,

Minstrels and bowmen, idly squabbling thus

In the world's corner—but too late no doubt,

For the brave time he sought to bring about.

Who was the famed Roman Crescentius?

—Not know Crescentius Nomentanus?" Then